The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-01-16
A MANS TONGUE CUT OUT
BY THE PROCESS KNOWN AS GAL.
VAN0CAUTERY
In Order to Cure q Cancer-A Won
derful and Remarkably Success
fal Operation.

CINCINNATI, o., January l5.-The
Enquirer says: The medical profess
sion OF the city Is watching with the
utmost interest the result OF difficult
surgical operation which was per
formed successfully at the Good Sa-
marian Hospital on Wednesday OF
this week. The entire movable part
OF the tongue was removed from the
mouth oil the patient, while under the
influence OF chloroform, by what is
known TO the surgical profession as
galvano- cautety. fhe operation was
performed by one OF the most promi.
nent surgeons Of the city. Five years
ago Mr.. Isaac LYons, a prominent citi-
zen OF Danville, KY, became afflicted
by sore on the tongue, which soon
developed into a cancerous growth.
such as resulted fatally in the case of
Gen. Grant, and later in that of John
Roach, the great ship builder. Be-
coming alarmed, Mr.. Lyons came
TO, Cincinnati, and, after con-
sultlng several OF the most prominent
surgeons, submitted to an operation in
which half OF his tongue was removed
by the same process as was used es-
terday. About six months ago the
cancer, which was of the most malia-
nant sort, began to show itself again.
1t was Very painful, and the applica-
ton OF cocaine WIS the only remedy
thst would relieve his suffering in any
degree. Realizing that dealh was
only mater of short time if the
cancer was permitted to eat further
into his system, he, at toe advice of
his physcisns, concluded to submit
again to the operation of galvano eau
try. Accordingly, he came to Gin
cinnasi Wednesday morning in COM
pany with his SOD, and went at once
to the Good Samaritan Hosp tai.
several surgeons and student,
were present when the opera
ton was performed. T1e pa
tlent was first put under the il f1enc5
OF chlororoform. Then needle
threaded with silk was passed Though
the tongue in several places, and that
important member was pulled as far
out OF the mouth as possible, disclos-
ing the car Ger at the base. 1t was eyi.
dent that, in order to save the pa
TENTS life, the entire tongue would |
have to be removed. First the tongue
was or circled as near the base as pos
si6Ie by loop of fine platinum wire,
which was held in place by pins
thrust through the caucerous growth. |
When everything was in readiness a
powerful current OF electricity was
cent through the wire, which was
quickly heated to incandescepce
The mouth OF the patient was filed
with a bright light fer an instant,
and then, as the wire came to a
white heat, the loop was gen.
thy drawn forward, the glowing wire
cutting through the tancerous tongue
as clean ss knife, leaving bloodless
wound behind. Quicker than flash
the mans tongue was in the surgeons
hand aud the platinum loop was
thrown to the floor. The tongue re-
moved was OF disgusting appearance
being solid lump of corruption about
an inch and a half square. Yesterday
Mr.. Lyons was able to sit up and
could take liquid food comforta-
bly,. He is also abe to articu.
late so as to be clearly under.
stood, although his tongue is entirely
gone. He will be able to speak much
palmer, however, after the floor of his
mouth fills up. Mr.. Lyons is a man
Of advanced age, and this operation, it
Is expected, will prolong his life eev-
sral years. This ia one Of the most
surgical operations ever
performed in this city, and will doubt
ess attract much attention among the
medical fraternity.